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Differences in escape response of fish in protected and fished Mediterranean rocky reefs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 May 2008

P. Guidetti ,
E. Vierucci  and
S. Bussotti
P. Guidetti*
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Zoology and Marine Biology, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
E. Vierucci
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Zoology and Marine Biology, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
S. Bussotti
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Zoology and Marine Biology, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Paolo GuidettiLaboratory of Zoology and Marine Biology University of Salento73100 LecceItaly email: [email protected]
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Abstract

In both protected and fished rocky reefs in the southern Adriatic Sea, the behaviour of the sea breams Diplodus sargus and D. vulgaris (both targeted by spear-fishing) in the presence of divers was found to be mostly negative (i.e. escape response). However, at protected reefs sea breams frequently swam into the closest shelters, whereas in fished reefs they mostly escaped in open water. This study suggests that spear-fishing may alter the escape response of fish from natural predators and that marine reserves may re-establish natural behaviour patterns.

Keywords

marine protected areasfish behaviourtemperate rocky reefsMediterranean Sea
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 88 , Issue 3 , May 2008 , pp. 625 - 627
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2008

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